CALL FOR PAPERS<\/p>\n
European Conference on Equal Opportunities<\/p>\n
“Equal Is Not Enough”<\/p>\n
Dealing with Opportunities in a Diverse Society<\/p>\n
13, 14 and 15 September 2006<\/p>\n
Antwerp (Policy Research Centre on Equal Opportunities), Belgium
\n<\/p>\n
The issue:
\nAiming at equal opportunities at the beginning of someone\u2019s life on the one
\nhand, making sure everyone ends equally on the other hand. These are two
\npolitico-philosophical and policy approaches on a just society that have
\nproven their defects. For they don\u2019t take into account the diversity that
\nexists within every society stemming from individual and group-based
\ncharacteristics. Both dimensions, equality and diversity, are therefore
\nimportant.<\/p>\n
However, (in)equality encompasses more than merely similarities and
\ndifferences between people; it is also a question of individual\u2019s divergent
\nmeans. Not just the outcome (the continuum equality-diversity) should be
\nbrought into focus, the means too (equal opportunities) should be taken
\ninto account.<\/p>\n
Inequality of opportunities arises when people are unable to develop
\ntheir individual skills, including choice skills; when they are confronted
\nwith discrimination or are living in a society where people are not or
\ninadequately prepared to protect each other and the general interest.<\/p>\n
Differences between individuals cease to be acceptable when they
\nrestrict some individuals, despite proportionality of effort, in attaining or
\nconsolidating a desired position.<\/p>\n
In actual practice this isn\u2019t always feasible:<\/p>\n
– Women earn less than men and all the higher the post one holds, so
\nmuch the bigger the difference;
\n– Fellow citizens of migrant origin are being given fewer chances when
\nthey present themselves on the labour market;
\n– Married homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals aren\u2019t allowed to adopt
\nchildren;
\n– Older employees experience difficulties or don\u2019t succeed in finding a
\njob once they\u2019re out of work.<\/p>\n
The challenge:
\nWith this conference, we accept the challenge of trying to grasp the
\nnotion of equal opportunities in increasingly diverse societal contexts. The
\nexpertise that the Policy Research Centre on Equal Opportunities (PRCEO)
\nhas acquired over the years shall serve as a guideline <\/p>\n
This expertise encompasses:<\/p>\n
– An intersectional (i.e. not limited to a single dimension of equal
\nopportunities), integral (i.e. encompassing various domains of life) and
\ndynamic (i.e. variable over the life course) approach to equal
\nopportunities;<\/p>\n
– The opportunity dimensions of gender, age, ethnicity and sexual
\npreference;<\/p>\n
– Various public and private life domains: education, labour market
\n(incl. retirement phase), politics, voluntary work, the media (imaging, media
\nbehaviour), ICT (e-inclusion), healthcare, social networks (individual
\nand in relation to social movements), family and relationship formation,
\nsocialisation and perception of identity;<\/p>\n
– Statistics and indicators on equal opportunities and research into the
\nsubjective perception of equal opportunities.<\/p>\n
The scope:
\nWe examine equal opportunities from different point of views: a
\nconceptual-theoretical interpretation (to conceptualise), a qualitative
\nempirical interpretation (to explore), a quantitative empirical
\ninterpretation (to monitor) and a policy-related interpretation (to
\nenhance).<\/p>\n
To conceptualise:
\n\u2018Equal opportunities\u2019 is a normatively charged umbrella term. In order
\nto give equal opportunities a scientific basis and to pursue a good policy
\non equal opportunities, it\u2019s imperative to define this concept as well as
\nrelated words (emancipation, diversity, non-discrimination, solidarity,
\nthe life course and so on). Moreover the rhetoric on equal opportunities
\nought to be scrutinized: who speaks about equal opportunities?, in what
\ncontext (when, where)?, with what purpose?, and in what manner?<\/p>\n
To explore:
\nSince every individual puts a different meaning on equal opportunities
\nit is important to pay attention to the subjective perception of equal
\nopportunities. Which mechanisms of exclusion do individuals recognize?
\nLikewise: why do some people fail to lead an active and autonomous life,
\nboth in the social and economical sphere, despite the opportunities they
\nhave been given?<\/p>\n
To monitor:
\nIn addition to the above-mentioned qualitative dimension, research into
\nequal opportunities posits the use of statistics and indicators.
\nQualitative and quantitative research into equal opportunities draw a
\npicture of the sort, the scope and the factors that impede or favour
\nindividuals throughout their lives.<\/p>\n
To enhance:
\nAn equal opportunities policy aims at, as best one can, preventing or
\nmaking up arrears in life. Which form do equal opportunities policies
\ntake in different countries and over time? Which conceptual (emancipation,
\nequal opportunities and\/or diversity) and strategic decisions (collective
\nand\/or individual approach, equal treatment, positive action and\/or
\nmainstreaming) do policymakers make? Where do civil society and the research community come into this?<\/p>\n
The PRCEO takes into account all dimensions and domains that touch on
\nequal opportunities. Subscribers to the conference are free to submit
\nabstracts that bear upon the PRCEO\u2019s expertise or that add something to it (a new opportunity dimension, an underexposed life domain and so forth). We
\ngive preference to contributions that incorporate the principle of
\nintersectionality.<\/p>\n
Deadline abstracts:
\n28 February 2006<\/p>\n
Abstracts should meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n
– Name(s) and affiliation(s) of the author(s);
\n– Contact details of presenting author (postal address, telephone, fax and email address);
\n– Title of proposed presentation;
\n– Keywords, including the domain(s) (2 at the most) and the opportunity
\ndimension(s) Abstract of a maximum of 200 words;
\n– .txt, .rtf, .doc or .swx format<\/p>\n
Abstracts should be sent to:
\nequalisnotenough@ua.ac.be<\/p>\n
Authors will be notified of the acceptance of their abstract the 15th of April at the latest.<\/p>\n
Paper sessions will be 25 minutes long.<\/p>\n
Conference website:
\nwww.equalisnotenough.org
\nwww.equalisnotenough.eu<\/p>\n
Policy Research Centre on Equal Opportunities (PRCEO):
\nPrinsstraat 13 (correspondence address)
\nGratiekapelstraat 12 (visiting address)
\n2000 Antwerp
\nTel: +32 (0)3 220 42 96
\nFax: +32 (0)3 220 43 82<\/p>\n
Please accept our apologies if you have already received this message.<\/p>\n
Best regards,<\/p>\n
The Policy Research Centre on Equal Opportunities<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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